National Officer (Education Casework)

Location: Home-based, Scotland

Salary: Starting salary £64,601 per year

Job Type: Full time, permanent (for this role, we are open to discussing the possibility of full time or part time working 4 days/week, 0.8 FTE for the right candidate)

Closing date for applications: 4pm on Monday 16th June 2025.

School Leaders Scotland (SLS) is the leading professional association for secondary school and college leaders and is affiliated to the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL). With a strong 1,200 membership that includes 80% of secondary headteachers and representation in over 90% of schools in Scotland, SLS membership ensures that the voice of school leaders is heard throughout, within and at every level of Scottish education. We speak with an influential and respected voice which represents the interests of the ever-increasing number of members across the country.

The Role: SLS is seeking to appoint a national officer to undertake casework supporting SLS members. The post will cover Scotland, supporting the recently appointed General Secretary. The post requires up-to-date knowledge and experience of the issues facing the senior leadership teams of schools and colleges and the ability to deal with individuals at a senior level. The post will suit applicants with recent experience as leaders of educational institutions or administrators with good experience of school or college management and a strong interest in professional issues. Scotland will be the main location of work. The post-holder will be home based although the role involves frequent travel. There will be contact with and visits to ASCL HQ in Leicester plus regular training and development sessions that may involve overnight stays. IT and mobile phone equipment will be provided.

SLS is an equal opportunities employer and offers a very generous package of benefits, including 33 days holiday plus bank holidays and a pension scheme to which the association contributes 9%. Reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expenses are also covered, including a working from home allowance. Equipment is provided. We encourage applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Person Specification:

• Experience and qualifications:

• Degree or equivalent level qualification.
• In-depth knowledge of current education policies, and the education system.
• A career that will have credibility with SLS members.
• Driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Recent and relevant experience as a school or college leader (within the last year preferable and no longer than two years).

• Skills:

• Strong communication skills. Ability to present information persuasively, accurately and concisely, verbally and in writing. Strong advocacy skills. Developed listening skills.
• Ability to think strategically and tactically.
• Ability to manage, implement and deliver policy objectives and achieve results.
• Good organisational and analytic skills. Ability to work on several projects at the same time and to prioritise effectively. Ability to quickly understand, summarize and respond to lengthy and complex documents.
• Familiarity with aspects of education and employment law.
• Proficiency in communication by email and general computer literacy.
• Disciplined approach to record-keeping and entering own programme in Outlook diary.

• Personal qualities:

• Ability to subscribe to the principles of the association, and support its purposes and aims.
• Full commitment to the interests of the association's individual members and willingness to put their needs first.
• Ability to work flexibly and with sensitivity, especially when dealing with members in stressful personal situations. Willingness on occasions to work long hours, including evenings and at weekends.
• Integrity. The capacity to maintain confidentiality.
• Self-motivation. Ability to work effectively without close direction.
• Capacity to accept direction, and work as part of a team. Willingness to seek advice and support when necessary.
• Good interpersonal skills. Approachable and caring. A presence that inspires confidence. Ability to build rapport across a wide range of people.
• Vigour, stamina, perseverance, and good humour.

Interested? Those shortlisted will need to be available for a task to be taken remotely, before the in-person interview in Edinburgh/Glasgow (venue to be confirmed) on Wednesday 25 June. Start date: 1st September 2025, depending on individual circumstances.

Please click APPLY below to be considered for this role. Candidates with experience or relevant job titles of; Academic National Officer, School National Officer, may also be considered for this role.